Newsletter

Police search for missing woman

St. Johns County Sheriff's detectives are searching for a missing 50-year-old woman whose clothes were found in the ocean last week near Ocean Trace Road, according to a sheriff's office report.

Relatives of Vera Osteen reported her missing after not hearing from Osteen since last week, the report said.

Both Osteen and the green 1996 four-door Honda Accord she had been living in are missing, the report said.

"A form of I.D. was found inside her jeans at the ocean," said Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, spokesman for the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. "If she just went for a swim, you would expect to find her car in the area.

"The vehicle was not in the area."

Her clothes were found on March 31, the report said.

It's unclear how long Osteen had been living in her car.

Osteen is a 5-foot 4-inch white female weighing about 200 pounds.

She has brown eyes and brown hair.

The Florida license tag on her car is N040XT.

Although her disappearance is suspicious, detectives said there is no evidence of foul play at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have come in contact with Osteen since last week, or who may have information about her whereabouts is encouraged to call Detective Charles Brantley of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at 824-8304.

Callers may remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of N.E. Florida at (888) 277-TIPS (8477).